UFC on FX 5 results: John Dodson claims title shot with TKO of Jussier Formiga

http://mmajunkie.comMINNEAPOLIS – Even some of the sport’s fastest fighters occasionally have a slow start.

After struggling to get an edge on promotional newcomer Jussier Formiga, Dodson ultimately dropped him twice to set up a second-round TKO victory and a guaranteed title shot with recently crowned flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson.

The UFC on FX 5 contest, which took place Friday night at Minneapolis’ Target Center, aired on FX following preliminary-card bouts on FUEL TV.

While the first round allowed each fighter to test his range and his opponent’s speed, it didn’t do much else. Neither fighter took a clear edge in an action-light round that ended in boos.

The second round began much like the first, and the boos continued. But midway through the round, Dodson dropped Formiga with a quick left and rained down a few follow-up punches.

Formiga got back to his feet and quickly regained his composure, but it didn’t last for long. Dodson landed a big body punch and then went upstairs with a left hook. Formiga, who had been retreating after the initial knockdown, hit the mat face first, and Dodson rained down a quick barrage of follow-up punches to the force the referee’s intervention.

The TKO stoppage came at the 4:35 mark of the second round.

With the win, Dodson gets the first show at Johnson’s belt. “Mighty Mouse” recently won it by defeating Joseph Benavidez in the final of a four-man championship tournament.

Like Dodson, Johnson fights with remarkable speed and footwork.

“It’s going to be the super-fastest fight you’ve ever seen,” Dodson said. “‘Mighty Mouse’ is going to sit there and be just as fast. We’re going to be moving around. it’s going to be lightning. Please DVR it, and watch it slow motion.”

Dodson (14-5 MMA, 3-0 UFC), who won “The Ultimate Fighter 14″ as a bantamweight, is now 2-0 since his move back to flyweight, which included a decision win over Tim Elliott in May.